LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) - Gregg County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson is preparing to step down after 44 years on the bench.

Jameson first ran for office in 1982, citing his background around the court and his friendship with the previous judge."To my knowledge that I've been able to track, I'm the longest serving Gregg County JP in history," Jameson said.

Over his four decades, the court's responsibilities and caseload expanded significantly, with civil jurisdiction rising from $1,000 to $20,000.